The visual Art Major is designed to provide students with a broad based understanding of the history of world art, basic skills with traditional and digital media, and an opportunity to choose an area of specialization according to their career interests. Students will finish their program of study with the thesis course which includes a written component and a gallery exhibition. Students are encouraged, but not required, to take up to 42 credit hours in art to build their portfolios and prepare for the thesis exhibition. The visual Art minor is designed to provide an introduction to art history and a variety of media and may be augmented to suit particular student interest and career goals. It also allows ample opportunity to pursue interests in other fields or in combination with a major in another academic area. Course offerings in art include introductory and advanced classes in art education, art history, drawing, design, computer graphics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Students majoring in visual art find career opportunities in a wide variety of professional fields, including teaching in public or private schools; management of cultural programs in city, state, or federal government agencies; museums, galleries and other cultural institutions; advertising, design studios, special effects and broadcasting agencies. Our undergraduate program in art also prepares students for graduate study in their areas of concentration.

Certification in art education (K-12) is also available.

Major

(B.A. degree) Requirements: A total of 36 hours (at least 12 of which must be numbered 300 or above) including: ART 216, 217, 414, 3 hours elective in art, and ART 455. 12 hours in foundations (at least four of the following five courses: ART 115, 117, 118, 234, 120); and 9 hours in one of the following two areas of specialization: Traditional Media (Painting or Sculpture): ART 232, 332, 432, 230, 330, or 430; or Digital Media (Computer Design): ART 334; 338, 435, 336, 342, or 437.

Minor

Twenty-one hours including: ART 216, 217; 9 hours in foundations (at least three of the following five courses: ART 115, 117, 118, 120, 234); and 6 hours in specialization (choose from Traditional or Digital Media above; or art history ART 414 or 470).

Course Offerings

107. Art Appreciation. (2 hours) An introduction to the study of art styles, media and concepts using examples from various world cultures as well as Western civilization. This class is designed for non-art majors. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

113. Art Education. (3 hours) The integration of all educational disciplines and art is at the center of our approach. The creative process and its educational value, unique to the visual arts, are emphasized in this course. The course includes some of the history of art education, its psychology and philosophy which are basic to understanding art education as well as studio art activities for the classroom. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall

115. Drawing. (3 hours) Basic problems in drawing in various media such as pencil, pen, brush and charcoal and experimental techniques. Both representational and experimental approaches to drawing will be studied. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

117. Design Basics and Color. (3 hours) Basic problems in composition, the elements of design, materials and design concepts. Special emphasis on color theory. This course is also an introduction to painting. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall

118. Introduction to Ceramics and Three Dimensional Design. (3 hours) This studio course addresses the fundamentals of art with an emphasis on three-dimensional concepts while exploring basic ceramic processes. In this course students will have the opportunity to thoroughly examine the formal elements of three-dimensional form through hands-on personal experience; observing the work of others in the studio environment; exploring a broad repertoire of media possibilities; and critical analysis of produced works. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

120. Photography. (3 hours) Students will be given instruction in photography relative to their experience. Beginning students will be instructed in the operation of the camera, composition, developing, and printing. All students will receive help in developing a personal view and in improving techniques and composition. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

216. Survey of World Art I. (3 hours) Survey of the art of world civilizations from primitive and ancient times to 1450 A.D. This course is taught from an international/multicultural perspective with emphasis on art as a creative reflection of society and culture. This course is the first half of a year-long introductory survey of world art which introduces the basic concepts of visual and stylistic analysis and a historical survey of paintings and sculpture in the Western world from prehistoric to medieval times. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall

217. Survey of World Art II. (3 hours) Survey of the art of world civilizations from 1450 A.D. to the present time. This course is taught from an international/multicultural perspective with emphasis on art as a creative reflection of society and culture. This course is the second half of a year-long introductory survey of world art which introduces the basic concepts of visual and stylistic analysis and a historical survey of paintings and sculpture in the Western world from 1450 to the present day. Spring

230. Sculpture I. (3 hours) Concepts and design of sculpture with emphasis on personal development in any material selected by the student. Prerequisite: ART 118 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

232. Painting I. (3 hours) ART 115 and 117 are recommended for art majors and minors before enrolling in this course. Beginning painting in which color and composition problems will be assigned. Different styles and techniques will be studied as well as one’s personal creative development. Prerequisite: ART 115 or 117 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

234. Survey of Computer Art Applications. (3 hours) An introductory study in the aesthetics, creative, and technical aspects of graphic design, including basic graphic design fundamentals, typography, layout, and the language of logos, symbols and pictograms. Although no one area will be mastered in depth in this course, students will gain a basic understanding of text manipulation, page layout, vector imaging, raster imaging, scanning, 3-D modeling, animation, interactive design and multimedia. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses.

300. Printmaking. (3 hours) This course introduces students to basic methods of traditional printmaking. Each student will complete individual assignments utilizing the major printmaking media, learn how to identify various types of paper, and learn how to mount and display their work. Students will become familiar with a number of fundamental print concepts such as editioning, registration, group problem solving, and collaboration. Prerequisite: ART 115 or 117 As needed

302. Careers in Art. (3 hours) This course surveys arts professions through lectures, discussions, and site visits to art organizations, galleries, museums, and studios of varying sizes. Students will interact with and explore traditional, performance, and computer-based arts while also furthering their understanding of art historical and curatorial activities. Fall

330. Sculpture II. (3 hours) Further exploration of materials including metal casting materials, and techniques, leading to personal advancement in the use of ideas and style. Prerequisite: ART 230 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

332. Painting II. (3 hours) A continuation of the exploration of composition and painting techniques moving toward a greater independence and personal development for the student. Prerequisite: ART 232 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

334. 3-D Modeling and Animation. An in-depth study of 3-D modeling and animation techniques done on the computer. Students will learn story boarding methods for planning models and animation. Emphasis will be on concept development and understanding algorithmic theories for modeling and animation. Prerequisite: ART 234.

336. Graphic Design Principles and Techniques. Emphasis in this course is on problem-solving, conceptual development, layout and implementation of text and image integration. It focuses on more complex design projects and problems that encourage students to push beyond basic skills and experiment with creative solutions. Prerequisite: ART 234. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses.

338. Digital Imaging and Compositing. An in-depth study of digital imaging and compositing techniques for artists. Students will learn creative digital imaging and compositing using a variety of software programs. Emphasis will be on artistic theme and concept development. Class assignments include posters, book jackets, CD covers, and packaging. Prerequisite ART 234. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses.

414. Modern Art History. (3 hours) This course surveys developments in nineteenth and twentieth-century art and architecture. Particular emphasis is placed on theoretical and critical issues in addition to the historical, intellectual, and socioeconomic changes that are reflected or addressed in the works of artists and architects. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall

430. Advanced Sculpture. (3 hours) The student will provide a statement of goals to the instructor who will act in an advisory capacity. Independent thinking and technical development are emphasized. Prerequisite: ART 330 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

432. Advanced Painting. (3 hours) The student will provide a statement of goals to the instructor who will act in an advisory capacity. Independent thinking and technical development are emphasized. Prerequisite: ART 332 or permission of instructor. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

435. Interactive and Online Design. An in-depth study of computer interactive design for CD and the World Wide Web. Students will learn interactive techniques and interface design using Macromedia Director, shockwave, HTML, and JavaScript. Emphasis will be on thematic development, visual consistency and efficiency. Prerequisite: ART 234. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses.

440. Independent Study. (3 hours) The student may select any studio area or art history or art education topic for research or development. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Fall and Spring

455. Senior Thesis. (3 hours) Each senior art major is required to develop and complete a body of work which is a culmination of the investigation and inquiry relevant to his/her study. This course will focus on work leading to the Senior Exhibition. A supporting paper, artist’s statement and professional documentation, and an oral defense are required. Prerequisite: Student must pass portfolio review before admission into class. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses. Spring

461. Internship in Visual Arts. Supervised professional experience in an ad agency, business, studio, gallery or institution as a means of preparing the student for a career goal or further studies in the visual arts. Special fee applies, please see Financial Planning and Expenses.

470. Special Topics in Art History. The rotating topics cover one or several themes that explore aesthetics, subjects of art, and the producers of art as well as related art theory and criticism. Topics include: Harlots, Mothers, and Saints: Women and Art; Public Sculpture; the Arts of Asia; Artists’; Books; Spirituality and Experience; Word & Image; and Art Theory & Art Criticism. This course may be repeated. Prerequisite: Art 216 or 217 or permission of the instructor. Spring